20 September 2001

Text: U.S. Internet Companies Launch Relief Effort

Some of the biggest corporate names in the information technologies (IT) industry have formed a coalition to support the relief effort for victims of the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States. In just the first week after the event, the public has donated more than $57 million dollars in aid online, according to information posted on the Web site established by the coalition, American Liberty Partnership.

According to a press release, the partnership Web site emphasizes the significance the online medium has played in the immediate aftermath of the disaster as people have sought information and exchanged opinions and feelings about the dramatic events.

"The partners in the American Liberty Partnership believe that the online medium can continue to be a powerful tool to help rebuild our shattered communities and our shaken confidence," the partnership Web site says. "Working together, our goal is to provide convenient access to the best information and resources and to connect people with the philanthropic organizations most in need of our help."

Amazon.com, AOL Time Warner, Cisco Systems, eBay, Microsoft and Yahoo are the founders of the American Liberty Partnership. The Web site is available at http://www.libertyunites.org/about_alp.adp#contributions

Following is the text of the press release:

(begin text)

The American Liberty Partnership Is The
Place To Help The Victims And Their Families

Over the past week, the extraordinary and tireless work of thousands of rescue workers, law enforcement agents, and military personnel in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington has been supported by the quiet heroism of tens of millions of other people across America.

When the call rang out for blood donations, thousands lined up to give. When clothing, medical goods, and other supplies ran low, our friends and neighbors filled trucks with more. And in a time of urgent need, millions of people like you have contributed your time, prayers, and money to our country's desperately overwhelmed rescue and philanthropic organizations.

But the need for help continues to grow. As the rubble is slowly cleared, the rebuilding process for the survivors and their communities is only just beginning. From medical and rehabilitation needs to psychological assistance and financial support for the families of the victims, the burdens on charitable organizations will be staggering.

You can help.

The American Liberty Partnership is an Internet industry initiative that is using the online medium to connect people who want to help with the organizations that need it the most. On our web site, you will find opportunities to support these organizations, as well as general information about how the relief effort is progressing and what needs are next on the horizon.

The Internet has played a strong role already in supporting the relief effort.

Some of the online crisis relief sites where Americans have donated directly to the charity of their choice, with no fees or costs, include:

Helping.org: http://helping.org
Yahoo!: http://www.yahoo.com/
eBay: http://www.ebay.com
MSN: http://www.msn.com
AOL Keyword: How to Help
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com

In the first week alone, estimates are that more than $57 million was raised through online contributions at these web sites to support charities involved in the relief efforts, much of it in small donations of $30-50 each. But much more will be needed in the days and weeks ahead.

The online medium has played an important role in other ways as well -- connecting friends and family members by e-mail and instant message who couldn't reach one another by phone, providing real-time information about the disaster and its aftermath, and bringing a global community together to talk, share and grieve.

The partners in the American Liberty Partnership believe that the online medium can continue to be a powerful tool to help rebuild our shattered communities and our shaken confidence. Working together, our goal is to provide convenient access to the best information and resources and to connect people with the philanthropic organizations most in need of our help.

In the darkest of times, the worst of crisis, and the deepest of need, the spirit of America shines the brightest. Thank you for your continued help for the countless victims of this American tragedy.

Sincerely,

-- Amazon.com
-- AOL Time Warner
-- Cisco Systems
-- eBay
-- Microsoft
-- Yahoo!

AMAZON

Amazon.com is collecting contributions for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Because the company has waived its usual processing fees, all donated money will support Red Cross efforts to help victims of the September 11 tragedies and other events. Amazon.com's initiative, which uses its Honor System and 1-Click payment technologies to allow visitors to make fast, easy, and safe credit card contributions, was launched hours after the September 11 attack and already has raised well over $6 million from some 160,000 visitors. All of us at Amazon.com are gratified to be able to use the power of the Internet to help the Red Cross in its relief efforts.

http://www.amazon.com

AOL TIME WARNER

AOL Time Warner has committed the breadth of its resources to help with the recovery and rebuilding effort. It brought the AOL 18-wheeler from its usual NASCAR race location to New York City filled with 42 computer terminals with Internet access via satellite and its own power generator. In addition, AOL is providing NY families with 500 mobile communicators to enable the police to reach them. Time Warner Cable's people helped quickly connect police headquarters and the mayor's command center to Road Runner service to keep their command and control functions in operation. They also helped to wire the Family Assistance Center, hospitals and the coroner's office. Visitors to AOL Time Warner's interactive properties donated nearly $20 million to the International Association of Firefighters, the American Red Cross, the United Way and other agencies by clicking and giving online and on the philanthropy portal Helping.org. The company has also announced a $5 million contribution to the relief effort and pledged to match employee contributions up to $1,000 per person.

http://www.helping.org and http://www.aoltw.com

CISCO SYSTEMS

Cisco Systems Makes $6M gift to Key Relief and Support Organizations in New York City and Washington, DC.

Additional Donations Made by Cisco Employees Will Be Matched $ for $ by the Cisco Foundation.

As the terrible events in New York City and Washington, DC unfold Cisco Systems has taken action by making a number of significant gifts to key relief and support organizations in the affected areas. These organizations have the skilled personnel and experience to address the critical needs of our fellow citizens. It is our hope that our gift of $6M will make a difference. We are honored to partner with these organizations. The priorities are to support the work of the rescue workers, provide assistance to victims, and begin the healing of all affected by the tragedy.

http://www.cisco.com

EBAY.COM

People around America and the world have contributed to relief efforts in countless ways. Many millions of people, however, are still searching for the best way to contribute. In conjunction with the State of New York and New York City, eBay is pleased to announce Auction for America. Our goal is to raise $100 million within 100 days through the sale and purchase of items on eBay, as well as cash donations. Every dollar raised will be used to help respond to the immediate and longer-term needs of the victims, their families, and the communities affected by the events of September 11th. To help ensure the success of this extraordinary effort, eBay and its partners are donating their services for free and will receive absolutely no revenue from Auction for America listings. "We believe people are basically good. We believe that everyone has something to contribute." Since the day eBay was founded under these principles, millions of people have come together to form a powerful global trading community. The combination of community and the eBay platform presents an extraordinary opportunity to provide relief in the wake of September 11th.

Since the events of last Tuesday, eBay has also taken the following steps to help the recovery process:

Starting a few hours after the attack, eBay has temporarily suspending trading of all items directly related to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, regardless of whether the events of September 11th are mentioned on the item or in the listing. It is our goal that no one benefit from the extraordinary events of September 11. In addition, since last Wednesday, eBay has been providing direct contributions, contacts and links to the September 11 Fund, the New York Fire 9-11 Relief Fund and other charitable organizations. Likewise, in accordance with the request of President Bush for Memorial services on Friday, September 14th, eBay held Community Memorials on each eBay Discussion, Help, Category and Chat Board.

http://www.eBay.com

MICROSOFT

Everyone at Microsoft is stunned and saddened by last week's devastating events. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and everyone affected by this terrible situation. The company and its employees have responded with compassion in a number of different ways, including donations that address both the immediate and long-term needs in the impacted areas. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2001/sep01 /09-12AttackDonationPR.asp On September 12, Microsoft announced a donation of $5 million in cash to the "September 11th Fund," established by The United Way and New York Community Trust to support a broad array of organizations aiding in the recovery and relief efforts. http://september11fund.org/epledge/sept11.cfm On the same day, Microsoft pledged an additional $5 million in technical services to local, state and federal governments and nonprofit organizations serving people in the affected area. Some of that assistance has already resulted in the development of the Family Registration Web at www.redcross.org, an online network which allows those in the impacted area to self-register with the Red Cross, helping the agency to respond to the estimated 6,700 inquiries. Internet access sites, created with computers donated by Compaq, are being set up in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. NPowerNY http://www.npowerny.org with support from Microsoft is providing local nonprofits with technology assistance. As part of its ongoing giving program, Microsoft matches employees' acts of given by matching, dollar for dollar, charitable contributions to nonprofits up to $12,000 per employee annually.

http://www.microsoft.com

YAHOO

Millions of people are turning to the Web and Yahoo! to access information, communicate with loved ones, build community and find ways to help regarding September 11th's terrible events. The Internet fundamentally continues to be a crucial medium for people, particularly during times like these. We are very pleased that people have found Yahoo!'s offerings helpful during this crisis and that through Yahoo! they have contributed tens of millions of dollars to various relief efforts.

http://www.yahoo.com